Prime Minister Netanyahu: The Jewish people and the Jewish state will be forever grateful.

Behold Israel: News

1 week ago

PM gives televised address following Trump’s announcement from Washington; Netanyahu thanks Trump, United States, calls on other countries to move embassies to Jerusalem; Netanyahu: We’re profoundly grateful for the President for his courageous and just decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to prepare for the opening of the US embassy here, Dec. 6, 2017.

Prime Minister Netanyahu gave a televised response to Trump’s announcements Wednesday night, thanking the United States and President Trump for his “commitment to an ancient but enduring truth, to fulfilling his promises and to advancing peace”.

The Prime Minister praised the Trump Administration, first beginning his address by speaking of Jewish history in Jerusalem. He stated “Jerusalem has been the capital of the Jewish people for 3,000 years. It’s been the capital of Israel for nearly 70 years. It was here that our temples stood, our kings ruled, our prophets preached. Jerusalem has been the focus of our hopes, our dreams, our prayers for three millennia. From every corner of the earth, our people yearned to return to Jerusalem, to touch its golden stones, to walk its hallowed streets. So it’s rare to be able to speak of new and genuine milestones in the glorious history of this city.”

He went on to state “Yet today’s pronouncement by President Trump is such an occasion. We’re profoundly grateful for the President for his courageous and just decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to prepare for the opening of the US embassy here. This decision reflects the President’s commitment to an ancient, but enduring truth, to fulfilling his promises and to advancing peace. The President’s decision is an important step towards peace, for there is no peace that doesn’t include Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel.”

He addressed the international community, calling “on all countries that seek peace to join the United States in recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and to move their embassies here.”

On the peace process, Netanyahu stated “I share President Trump’s commitment to advancing peace between Israel and all of our neighbors, including the Palestinians.
This has been our goal from Israel’s first day. And we will continue to work with the President and his team to make that dream of peace come true.|

Prime Minister clarified that there would be no change in the status quo at any of Israel’s religious sites, stating “I also want to make clear: there will be no change whatsoever to the status quo at the holy sites. Israel will always ensure freedom of worship for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike.”

He ended by saying “President Trump, thank you for today’s historic decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The Jewish people and the Jewish state will be forever grateful.”

His address comes following the historic recognition by the United States of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, President Trump officially announcing that US Embassy would be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

In a televised address from the White House, President Trump reported that he would not sign a waiver for the Jerusalem Embassy Act, officially announcing the United States’ recognition of Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel.

He stated, “Today we finally acknowledge the obvious, that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital. This is nothing more or less than recognition of reality. It’s also the right thing to do. Something that has to be done.”

On his decision in relation to the peace process, Trump clarified “This decision is not intended in any way to reflect a departure from our commitment to lasting peace. We’re not taking a position on any final status issues, including Israeli sovereignty on Jerusalem. Those questions are up to the parties involved. We remain committed to facilitate peace agreement acceptable to both sides.”